Handling Stress Naturally

Generally talking, stress is associated to ‘negativity’ that it brings with itself. But according to some psychologists, there may be some positive effects on a person that stress brings with itself. Both these opinions are contradicting each other. The reason in fact is, that it is the way a person assesses his or her mental and physical condition.

Let us clarify this point with the help of an example. There are two men, one of whom is a skier who is working hard for the Olympics Championship title, and the other is a student of final year in college, who is ready to sit in his final paper of math. The difference among them is that the skier had been working hard for the contest whereas the student had not studied a lot.

Now we look at them medically. From the physiological point of view, both of them will be going through the same phase, i.e., a fast heartbeat and heavy breathing, a high rate of metabolism, activation of sweat glands and so on. In the same way, there are similarities found among them at the psychological level, i.e., an increased sensitivity to what is going to happen next, and an increase in concentration level with vivid images.

But there is one very obvious difference between both these men, when we talk about them in psychological perspective. The skier is excited and enthusiastic about the whole contest, to show his competence and expertise for which he had been working hard since long, whereas the student is doubtful of his performance.

It is quite obvious that both these men are under stress, but their feelings when they are “stressed” make the difference important. The skier knows that he received a good training and he is ready to take the challenge, but the student, as is inadequately prepared is somewhat afraid and doubtful of his performance, which might result in utter failure.

Though both of them are unaware of the result, but they both evaluate themselves in a different manner, according to their capabilities and preparedness for the upcoming challenge.

There is the chance that the skier tried to grab a silver medal, though he was looking for the first slot, but number two position is also not disappointing, and he can look forward for a bright future, whereas the student, might have to retake the exam, and his chances of getting into a good graduate school are not very high.

With the help of the above examples, the meaning of the word ‘stress’ is easily understood. It actually carries two meanings, which are usually mixed together. In one meaning this word describes the excited and enthusiastic indications experienced physiologically, which are also described above. On the other hand it refers to the worrisome thoughts and feelings, which have a negative impact on one’s mind and overall health as well.

In the light of this discussion, it will become now easy for you to evaluate your feelings and worrisome thoughts, and start living a healthy, stress-free life!

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